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Andover Open Space Advisory Commission
Meeting Agenda
December 8 h, 2021
Andover City Hall
Conference Room A & B
6.00 p.m.
1. Call to Order
2. Resident forum
3. Approval of minutes: September 81h, 2021 regular meeting
4. Discuss promotion ideas and opportunities of the nature preserves
5. Other business
a. Recap joint meeting with City Council
b. Next meeting?
6. Adjournment
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REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSIONMEETING
DECEMBER 8, 2021
MINUTES
The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by
Chairperson Kim Kovich at 6:02 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW,
Andover, Minnesota.
Commissioners present: Erik Lindberg (arrived at 6:52 p.m.), Ryan Ingebritson, Jim Olson,
and Jen Vedadi
Commissioners absent: None
Also present: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician and Kayla
Clausen, CFC member
RESIDENT FORUM
Mr. Kytonen introduced Kayla Clauson who is assisting Andover a few days a week through the
Community Forestry Corps Program.
Kayla introduced herself noting that she is working with Mr. Kytonen including completion of a
tree inventory, inspection of storm utilities and other natural resources related tasks. She noted
that she is continuing her education on a master's degree.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES— September 8, 2021
Motion by Commissioner Ingebritson, Second by Commissioner Olson, to approve the minutes of
September 8, 2021. Motion passed 3-0 (Vedadi present).
DISCUSS PROMOTION IDEAS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE NATURE PRESERVES
Commissioner Vedadi stated that she believes the preserves are a treasure and also help the next
generation see the importance of environmental stewardship. She stated that she would like to see
opportunities for people to enjoy the preserves while also educating the public on how to enjoy
and care for the preserves. She discussed some partnership opportunities within the preserves.
She noted that she spoke with Davinci Academy, and they would be willing to offer a session on
the ecology of the Andover/Anoka County area and would bus children to the preserve as part of
a field study.
Chairperson Kovich stated that perhaps the first step would be to determine what the school offers
during that week to see if this would be a good fit. He noted that there is a difference between a
one -hour session and a six -hour session. He stated that this is a great idea if Commissioner Vedadi
would like to run with it.
Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes —December 8, 2021
Page 2
Commissioner Vedadi stated that she will follow up with the school in attempt to schedule a
meeting to further discuss opportunities. She stated that if a university student is going to be used
for this purpose, the group would need to decide on it at this meeting. She stated that the university
student could be used to create the content for the Davinci opportunity and to work on some of the
other ideas on the list. She stated that the Anoka Historical Society is also interested in partnering
with the group, noting the opportunity to create self -guided historical walking tours in the
preserves.
Chairperson Kovich commented that Mike Knight would have a lot of information that could be
used for that type of tour.
The Commission was supportive of that concept and suggested beginning with Martins Meadows.
Commissioner Vedadi commented that there is a growing movement towards forest schools and
preschools. She stated that perhaps they used that concept to develop a day activity for families.
She stated that there are a lot of resources available to develop that type of day activity. She
suggested that perhaps they start with a preserve playdate activity using that concept. She stated
that this concept would be less structured and would perhaps have a find a bird's nest activity and
other play activities.
Chairperson Kovich stated that perhaps this would be a good fit for Northwoods as it would be
geared at younger children.
Commissioner Vedadi commented that the Davinci opportunity would be in May, the historical
tour would most likely be setup by fall, and the playdate could take place during the summer. She
noted that the different activities would target young children, elementary/middle school children,
families, and people of all ages.
Commissioner Ingebritson commented that Maple View is a nice length loop for younger children
and there is a playground nearby. He noted that Northwoods is a hit with his kids in the fall
because of the apple trees, but it is a long walk.
Commissioner Vedadi noted that those are all things to be considered.
Mr. Kytonen stated that if Northwoods is selected they could just do a partial trek and not the full
loop.
Commissioner Kovich noted that Northwoods has the most to offer in terms of what could be seen.
Commissioner Vedadi noted that if the play date is done in the summer, they could point out the
apple trees and families could come back in the fall.
Commissioner Ingebritson noted that Maple View also has berries. He stated that Commissioner
Vedadi has some great ideas, targeted people of all ages.
Mr. Kytonen suggested that they pick one idea and begin with that.
Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes — December 8, 2021
Page 3
Chairperson Kovich agreed that it would be best to begin with one idea. He stated that the Davinci
opportunity would make the most sense and could lead into the play date concept in the summer.
He stated that the history opportunity would take the most time to setup.
Commissioner Vedadi suggested perhaps the first step would be to reach out to the partners to see
the amount of work it would take and the steps that would be necessary. She noted that the
Historical Society opportunity would involve working with a student from the university to
develop the content. She noted that the Commission could break into smaller groups to work on
the different concepts as well.
Chairperson Kovich suggested working on the Davinci opportunity first. He stated that it would
be better to focus on one concept and do it well than to try to do multiple things and not do as well.
Commissioner Vedadi noted that all of her concepts fall under the concept of getting outside and
related marketing could be under "Get Outside Andover" so it builds recognition. She confirmed
that she is committed and ready to run with the ideas.
Chairperson Kovich thanked Commissioner Vedadi for her work.
OTHER BUSINESS
a. Recap Joint Meeting with City Council
Commissioner Kovich noted that the main topic of discussion was related to a potential
boardwalk at Dalske.
Commissioner Olson asked for a status update on that item.
Mr. Kytonen stated that the decision was to contact an engineering firm to discuss a thorough
study of the area prior to the decision of the type of boardwalk. He noted that he and other staff
members will meet with a firm later this week to begin discussions.
Commissioner Kovich stated that he would have preferred not to do a study because of the added
cost but acknowledged that the decision was of the Council. He acknowledged that other entities
would be involved in permitting as well, therefore it makes sense to gather that additional
information.
Commissioner Lindberg arrived.
Commissioner Vedadi asked if the Council agreed that it would not make sense to construct a
boardwalk if the cost were going to be very high.
Mr. Kytonen stated that a more expensive option is not necessarily off the table if there is outside
funding available to support that cost.
Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes — December 8, 2021
Page 4
Chairperson Kovich stated that the Commission is in agreement that the boardwalk should be as
simple and low cost as possible. He stated that the Council seemed receptive about the
Commission being involved if a development is adjacent to a preserve.
Mr. Kytonen advised of a grant opportunity that the Commission previously applied for. He
confirmed that the Commission would be supportive of staff submitting an application.
Commissioner Vedadi commented that she would be hesitant on a high -cost boardwalk as
funding could be used for other purposes.
Commissioner Olson agreed.
Mr. Kytonen stated that some forestry mowing may occur this winter at Martin's Meadows and
provided additional details. He stated that he and Kayla are working to update the maps and
information in the kiosks at the preserves.
b. Next Meeting
Chairperson Kovich noted that the Commission will next meet in March unless there is
something that demands attention prior to that time. Currently planning on Wednesday, March
9th
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Commissioner Ingebritson, to adjourn. Motion passed
4-0 (Lindberg and Vedadi present).
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kameron Kytonen
Natural Resources Technician
Drafted by:
Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary